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Master Cheng Yen said: "Even an unintentional mistake, when witnessed by someone with a sensitive mind, may be taken to heart and become an unwholesome seed planted within them. From then on, no matter what we do, that person will view us through a prejudiced lens. Not only will they treat us poorly as individuals, but they may even transfer their resentment to the others on the team. This entire shift in attitude begins with a very small 'cause.' The person who tied the knot must untie it. After analysing and understanding the cause, we must resolve it at the root."
Master Cheng Yen gave an analogy: "The words and actions of others are like a mirror reflecting ourselves, reminding us to avoid displaying the kind of unpleasant speech or behaviour that repels others, and instead to treat people with kindness and a pleasant disposition. Thus, if we can learn from the unwholesome image others present to us and improve on our own attitude, then those who treat us poorly are, in fact, our 'adverse spiritual mentors' on the path of practice. We should truly be grateful to them."
Only when we harbour gratitude instead of resentment can we truly eliminate afflictions and ignorance and perfect our own character. This is benefiting oneself. When our character is perfected, we naturally form good affinities with others, earning their trust and becoming someone they are happy to approach and receive guidance from, helping them correct their mistakes. This is benefiting others.
"The multitude of living beings and their characteristics are very complex. Yet, every day I am deeply grateful. By observing the many aspects of sentient beings, I can maintain self-awareness and learn toward goodness." The Venerable Master encouraged everyone to recognise the suffering of reincarnation and vow to practise the Dharma, hoping no longer to be driven by karmic forces and drawn into the cycle of rebirth, where one continues to suffer and create more karma. We must not only transcend ‘episodic birth-and-death’ but also ‘transformational birth-and-death’.
"Transformational birth-and-death" refers to the continuous change in our views and thoughts. Only by upholding a pure, single-minded resolve on the Bodhi path, without being swayed by notions of self and others or shifting external circumstances, can we perfect our moral character and guide others to walk the Bodhisattva Path together, benefiting self and others.
The Venerable Master said that compared to the long time frame of practising the Bodhisattva Path, our few decades of life are truly insignificant. How can we ensure that, across the long span of countless lifetimes and amid the flow of birth and death, we maintain the good causes and conditions that allow us to continue studying the Buddha Dharma and walking the Bodhisattva Path, rather than being entangled and led astray by unwholesome karmic affinities? We must seize this very life, sustain our initial vow to practise, transform unwholesome conditions with a grateful heart, diligently accumulate wholesome affinities, reduce the karmic obstacles of future lives, and increase the favourable conditions for our spiritual practice.
Translated by Blanche Yap
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